Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers News: Arthur Moats, Artie Burns, Mike Tomlin

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Steelers have wrapped up the preseason and are gearing up to take on the Washington Redskins to start the season.

While the roster cuts are made and the team prepares for Washington we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Saturday, Sept. 3rd.

Don’t you dare cross those Moats

The Steelers rested the majority of their starters against the Carolina Panthers in the preseason finale. But that didn’t mean that the players in the game took it lightly. Linebacker Arthur Moats had two tackles and 1 ½ sacks in playing just the first half as described by Teresa Varley.

If the Steelers have to be without second-year linebacker Bud Dupree for any time to start the season since he’s been sidelined with a groin injury then we’re not going to miss a beat with Moats in. Totes Arthur Moats.

It is worth noting that while the preseason final scores do not count for anything the Steelers defense was successful five out of five times on Thursday night at keeping the Panthers out of the end zone.

The fire Burns

First round pick cornerback Artie Burns got his first action of the preseason and quite possibly the best thing for him heading into the regular season. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler points out that Burns had some nice pass breakups including a near-interception in the red zone.

DENIED!@Steelers first-rounder @_audi8 denies the TD pass and nearly comes down with the INT. #PITvsCAR https://t.co/GqPevKKKiM

— NFL (@NFL) September 2, 2016

Ending the preseason on a high note like that could be just what Burns needs to head into the real games with the fire needed to provide purposeful snaps necessary to give the defense flexibility at that position.

Health matters

Pittsburgh escaped the preseason without any major injuries from any of their major contributors. Head coach Mike Tomlin could be dancing a jig but he’s probably instead preparing for the 22 cuts that need to be made to get down to the league-mandated 53-man roster by 4pm EST on Saturday.

The Trib’s Mark Kaboly explains how Tomlin sat 19 of his 22 projected starters with only nose tackle Daniel McCullers, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva and tight end Jesse James seeing action during the night.

Who cares if the four preseason games produced at 1-4 record? It’s starting the season with all healthy guys that count. Except for those suspended.